The Camino Primitivo walking stages + PDFs
The Camino Primitivo or the Original Way is a part of the Northern Camino de Santiago network that includes Camino Primitivo, Camino del Norte (the Northern Way), and Camino Ingles (the English Way).
The total distance of the Camino Primitivo is 321 km/200 mi it can be completed in two weeks. The trail starts at the cathedral of Oviedo and finishes at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. It's considered to be the toughest Camino de Santiago route due to its many steep ascents and descents. The route passes through two Spanish provinces – Asturias and Galicia and offers a great in-nature experience combined with good infrastructure.
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More details on the route you can find in our Camino Primitivo guide.
Camino Primitivo downloadable PDFs
To make your planning and walking easier we've created two free downloadable PDFs for the Camino Primitivo.
- Places to stay on the Camino Primitivo (downloadable PDF)
- Camino Primitivo walking stages (downloadable PDF)
Camino Primitivo route overview
- Distance - 321 km/200 mi
- Number of days required - 12-14
- Starting point - Oviedo, Asturias
- Finishing point - Santiago de Compostela, Galicia
- Average cost - 35-40 Euro per person per day on average
- Accommodation - public and private albergues, hotels, guesthouses
The Camino Primitivo can be combined with the Camino del Norte and the French Camino. Both Caminos have connection routes to Oviedo where the Original Way starts. The Camino de San Salvador is a connecting route from León (the French Way) to Oviedo. On the Camino del Norte, there is a route split just before Gijón that goes to Oviedo.
Travel insurance for the walk
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Oviedo the beginning of the route
The Camino Primitivo starts at the Cathedral of Oviedo. Oviedo is a beautiful city with typical cobblestone streets, a charming historical center, and many restaurants, and bars. It's easy to get here by bus or train from different cities in Spain.
Places to stay in Oviedo
There are plenty of places to stay in Oviedo from a municipal albergue to spa hotels.
- Budget | Municipal albergue | Green Hostel Oviedo | HiHome Hostel |
- Middle price | Hotel Castro Real | Hotel Carreño | Aparthotel Campus |
- Luxury | Hotel & Spa Princesa Munia | AC Hotel Oviedo Forum | Ayre Hotel Oviedo |
Camino Primitivo walking stages
Day 1. Oviedo – Grado, 25 km/15.5 mi
San Lazaro - La Bolguina - El Escamplero - Paladin - L'Arche - Grado
It's important to start walking early to have enough time for several lunch and rest breaks along the way. The first day is always difficult on any Camino. This stage is quite challenging due to several steep ascents and descents.
You can split the first day on the Camino Primitivo into two; walk from Oviedo to El Escamplero, 12 km, and the next day from El Escamplero to Grado, 13 km. It's a good option if you don't want to spend a night in Oviedo and rather start walking the same day you arrive.
Our first day was very challenging due to heavy rain that continued all morning. The Camino Primitiv route starts at the cathedral of Oviedo and then goes through the city into the hills.
Highlights of the day
- Oviedo Cathedral and the historical center.
- Pastoral scenery; green hills, small villages, cows and sheep walking around.
- Beautiful mountain scenery.
- The historical center of Grado and the Sunday market.
Challenges
- Several ascents and descents on the Camino
Grado
A big town with many churches, a nice historic center, many shops, etc. If you're in the city on Sunday you'll walk through a big local market where you can buy delicious local cheeses, ham, salami, and bread.
- ATM – yes, many on the way
- Shops – yes, many supermarkets on the way, most open on Sundays.
- Restaurants, cafes – many on the way.
Places to stay in Grado*
- | Municipal albergue of Grado | Hotel Auto-Bar | Hotel Areces |
*A complete list of accommodations on the Camino you can find in our downloadable PDF file.
Day 2. Grado to Salas, 24 km/15 mi
Grado - Villapañada - La Doriga - Cornellana - Casazorrina - Salas.
A beautiful walk through the mountains and small villages, we left early in the morning and all the food places were still closed, we walked all the way to before we could have some food and coffee. There is a long uphill after Grado. It was quite a muddy day, mostly walking through the forest on the path but due to heavy rains, it was very dirty and wet so good waterproof shoes are essential.
Highlights
- Beautiful scenery.
- A couple of old small villages/towns.
Challenges
- Muddy path
- Many up and down-hills
Salas
A nice town with a beautiful church and picturesque scenery.
- ATM – yes, several.
- Shops – yes, one quite big supermarket and a couple of smaller shops.
- Restaurants – yes, several, some closed on Mondays.
Places to stay in Salas
- | Municipal albergue de Salas (temporary closed) | Albergue Valle del Nonaya | Albergue Casa Sueño | Hotel Casa Sueño | Castillo De Valdés Salas |
Day 3. Salas to Tineo, 20 km/12,4 mi
Salas - Bodenaya - La Espina - Tineo.
A nice walking day with quite a bit of uphill walking, a couple of pilgrim's rest stops; a place with coffee and snack vending machines, toilets, tables, and chairs. The first place to stop for coffee is La Espina, 9km away.
Highlights
- Waterfall, about 2km from Salas, 250m down-hill detour
- Forest walk
Challenges
- Muddy path
- Long uphill in the beginning
Tineo
Quite a big town with a beautiful view of the valley and the mountains.
- ATM – yes
- Supermarkets – yes
- Restaurants, bars, cafes – yes
Places to stay in Tineo
- | Municipal albergue de Tineo | Hotel Palacio de Merás | Apartamentos La Panerona |
Day 4. Tineo to Pola de Allande, 28 km/17,3 mi
Tieno - Campiello - Borres - Porciles - Pola de Allande.
A long and tiring day I'd recommend starting early. On the way from the albergue, there is a bakery that opens at 6 am you can buy fresh bread there. The next place to stop for coffee or lunch is Campiello, 14km away.
As an option you can break this day on the Camino Primitivo into two; stay in Campiello (there are two private albergues there, both have restaurants, and one has a grocery shop), and continue the next day to Pola de Allande, 15km. It's a good option if you feel tired, don't push yourself rather walk a short day and rest more. There is a municipal albergue in Borres 17km but it's more than basic and there are no shops, only one bar.
Highlights
- Beautiful morning view of Tineo from the top of the hill.
Challenges
- Many smallish up-hills
- A muddy trail along cow pasture fields
- Long and steep down-hill, 300m, to Pola de Allande
Pola de Allande
A small and cozy town surrounded by mountains.
- ATM – yes
- Supermarket – yes, closed from 2 pm to 4.30pm
- Restaurants, bars, cafés – yes
Places to stay in Pola de Allande
- | Municipal albergue de Pola de Allande | Hotel Nueva Allandesa | Casa Gayón |
Day 5. Pola de Allande to La Mesa, 23 km/14,2 mi
Pola de Allande - Puerto del Palo - Montefurado - Lago - Barducedo - A Mesa.
From the beginning of the day you start walking uphill, the most difficult walking day on the Camino Primitivo. The trail goes through the mountains for a while there will be no place to stop for a cup of coffee or lunch, the nearest place is Berducedo, 19km away. We'd suggest having breakfast in Pola there are several cafés on the way that serves breakfast from 6 am.
If you feel very tired after a long steep uphill you can stay in Barduceda, 18km from Pola, there are two albergues; one municipal and one private, a couple of bars, and a small shop. By the way, the municipal albergue in A Mesa is one of the worst on the Camino the one in Berducedo is better.
Highlights
- Stunning view over the mountains
- Montefurado - a tiny village on the top of the hill with old rock houses and walls, only one resident and many cows.
Challenges
- Very long and steep up-hill, 600m in the first half
- Strong wind and mist on the top, prepare rain-jacket
La Mesa
There is nothing here except for two albergues and a restaurant, it's not a town or village if you want to buy some food do it in Barducedo.
- ATM – no
- Supermarket – no
- Restaurant – yes
Places to stay in La Mesa
Alternative route from Tineo to La Mesa through Hospitales, 46 km/28,5 mi, 2 days
There is an optional route on the Camino Primitivo through Hospitales. The total distance to A Mesa will be a bit shorter, the trail goes up through the mountains. It's worth taking this route only if the weather is good otherwise it will be cloudy, and windy and you won't see anything. The trail splits on the second day at La Mortera, on the first day you still walk on the main route, and joins again on the second day at Puerto del Palo.
Day 4. Tineo to Borres, 18 km/11 mi
Borres is a tiny village with an albergue and a bar, but no shop. Keep in mind the albergue in Borres is very basic and doesn't have a kitchen but you can get food and coffee in the bar.
Day 5. Borres to La Mesa, 28km/optional Barducedo, 26 km/16 mi
From Borres you walk for 15km through the wild without anything or anybody after that the trail joins the main route at Puerto del Palo from where it's 13km to A Mesa. On a clear day, you'll be able to enjoy stunning mountainous scenery.
Day 6. La Mesa to Grandas de Salime, 17 km/10,5 mi
La Mesa - Embalse de Salime - Grandas de Salime.
It was the day with the most beautiful scenery, one long downhill, most of the day slightly uphill. We'd suggest having breakfast in La Mesa there is no place to stop on the way except one restaurant 4km before Salime.
Highlights
- Tiny rocky chapel, after the first up-hill from La Mesa, the smallest and cutest chapel we've ever seen
- Stunning view over Embalse de Salime (water reservoir) on the way down to the dam. The most impressive water body on the Camino Primitivo.
- A balcony/viewpoint at the dam on the right-hand side of the road (walk through the door).
- Anthropology museum in Grandas de Salime, 1,5 euro entrance fee.
Challenges
- Steep and long down-hill to the dam
- Some road walk along the dam but the road is not busy
Grandas de Salime
A nice town, we were quite happy we decided to stay and not to walk on. There are two albergues here, one municipal and one private, and a couple of pensions.
- ATM – yes. Don't use Telebanco, it charges a 5 euro commission.
- Supermarket – yes
- Restaurants – yes
Day 7. Grandas de Salime to A Fonsagrada, 28 km/17,3 mi
Grandas de Salime - Cereixeira - Castro - Venta del Acebo - Barbeitos - A Fonsagrada.
A nice day of walking with some up-hills, a forest walk, and a few muddy roads. The day went quite fast for us it didn't feel like we walked 26km. Today you leave Asturias and enter a different province – Galicia, there will be a sign indicating it.
Highlights
- It was so cloudy and misty that we didn't see much.
- Saw a dear and a genet in the forest.
Challenges
- Some road walk but the roads were not busy we saw a car every once in a while
- Very steep uphill right at the end all the way to A Fonsagrada.
A Fonsagrada
A nice and quite big town with several albergues, hostels, and pensions. A good place to aim for in high season as there are many accommodation options. Attention! The municipal albergue used to be in Padron, 2km away from the town but it was moved now it is in A Fonsagrada next to the church.
- ATM – yes.
- Supermarkets – yes
- Restaurants, bars - yes
Places to stay in A Fonsagrada
- | Municipal albergue | Albergue Piñeiral Fonsagrada | Pension Casa Manolo | Hotel portico | Casa Marentes | Casa da Lembranza (1,5km past Fonsagrada, on the Camino |
Day 8. A Fonsagrada to O Cadavo Baleira, 25 km/15,5 mi
A Fonsagrada - Padron - Paradavella - A Lastra - Fontaneira - O Cadavo Baleira.
Weather-wise it was one of the worst days on our Camino, it rained from early morning, and we were wet, cold, and miserable.
Challenges
- One long down-hill
- Many uphills that sometimes were quite steep
O Cadavo Baleira
A small town with three albergues, one municipal and two private. There are shops but they all are closed on Sundays you have to bring food with you from A Fonsagrada or eat in one of the restaurants. There are a couple of bars a bit further away from the albergue that give you tapas for free if you order drinks.
- ATM – yes.
- Shop – yes
- Restaurants, bars - yes
Places to stay in O Cadavo Baleira
Day 9. O Cadavo Baleira to Lugo, 30 km/18,6 mi
Vilabade - Castroverde - Vilar de Cas - Gondar - Castelo - Lugo.
We'd suggest starting the day early in order to have more time in Lugo, it's a nice city with a lot to see. The municipal albergue in Lugo has only 40 beds so if you arrive late you might not get a spot but there are many private albergues and hostels there. You can get breakfast and coffee at Vilabade there is a food kiosk there, and people who run it will open a local church for you, and tell you a little bit about the Camino Primitivo (if you understand Spanish).
Highlights
- The umbrella fountain in front of the church in Castroverde looks amazing if it rains.
- The historical town of Lugo; has impressive huge Roman walls, a Gothic cathedral, and cobblestone streets.
- Calle de Los Vinos in Lugo (street near the cathedral), don't miss it, especially over weekends, there are several bars where if you order drinks you get free tapas, small beer 1,20 Euro, big - 2 Euro.
- Bakery Meson de Crecente in Lugo is across the road from Puerta de San Pedro.
Challenges
- Long distance, 30km, relatively flat with one uphill in the beginning.
- A little bit of walking on the road but most of the time there were no cars.
Lugo
A big city with a beautiful historical center behind the old Roman walls; cobblestone streets, a cathedral, churches, museums, etc. Some of our Camino friends, who arrived too tired for walking around the city, stayed here for two days to have a chance to see it. Remember, you're not allowed to stay for two nights in the municipal albergue but private albergues won't mind.
- ATMs – yes.
- Supermarkets – yes. The next day there will be no shops on the way if you want to buy something buy it in Lugo.
- Restaurants, bars - yes
Places to stay in Lugo
- | Municipal albergue | Hostel Cross | Hostel O Miño | Hotel España | Hotel Méndez Núñez | Exe Puerta San Pedro |
Day 10. Lugo to San Romao da Retorta (Castrelo), 20 km/12,4 mi
Lugo - San Lazaro - San Vicenzo do Burgo - San Romao da Retorta/Castrelo.
It would have been an easy walking day and we were planning to walk further to the next place but it rained very hard, we were completely wet and decided to stop at San Roman da Retorta. As an option to make your next day shorter you can walk 5km more and stop at A Covela (there is only one private albergue there).
Highlights
- Nice view of Lugo and the Old Roman bridge from the outskirts of the city.
- A beautiful walk through the forest.
Challenges
- A half of the day walking on the road though not very busy.
San Roman da Retorta (Castrelo)
Both places are the same village, there is nothing here except for one municipal and one private albergue with a restaurant.
Places to stay in San Romao
| Municipal albergue, 8 euro | Casa Castrelo |
Day 11. San Romao da Retorta/Castrelo to Melide, 28 km/17,3 mi
Ferreira (O Carballal) - As Seixas - Casacamino - Irago de Arriba - Melide.
Last day of walking without crowds of pilgrims on the trails. There are several restaurants on the way where you can stop for lunch or coffee.
Highlights
- Some parts of the trail through the forest. To be honest, the last three days of the Camino Primitivo are less impressive than the first part.
Challenges
- Some uphill walking though not steep or long.
Melide
The Camino Primitivo merges with the Camino Frances in Melide. For the last two days, you walk on the French Camino. When you reach the city don't be surprised there will be hundreds of pilgrims there. The last part of the French Way from Sarria is the most popular Camino route. No need to worry about accommodation, there are many albergues, including one municipal for 120 people. The town is famous for pulperias – restaurants where you can eat pulpo (octopus cooked with spices).
- ATMs – yes.
- Supermarkets – yes
- Restaurants, bars – yes
Places to stay in Melide
Day 12. Melide to O Pedrouzo, 33 km/20,5 mi
Melide - Boente - A Fraga Alta - Ribadiso da Baixo - Arzua - Calle - Salceda - Mojon - O Empalme - Santa Irene - A Rua - O Pedrouzo.
After the quiet Camino Primitivo, you start walking on the French Camino with hundreds if not thousands of other pilgrims. There are many coffee shops, restaurants, albergues on the way, every 5km at least. To get from the Camino Primitivo to the French Way was like coming out of a quiet forest right in the middle of a big and busy city.
Challenges
- Quite a bit of walking along the road
- Hundreds of pilgrims on the route, especially after Arzua
- Distance, 33km - the longest day on the Camino
O Pedrouzo
Don't know if this place would exist without the Camino, the town is only one street with many albergues, restaurants, cafes, etc. There are several private albergues/hostels and hotels as well as one municipal albergue. We didn't stay here we decided to challenge ourselves and walked to Santiago in one day, 53km. It was tough but we made it by 6 pm and were quite happy to be finished one day earlier and have more time to explore Santiago.
- ATMs – yes.
- Supermarkets – yes
- Restaurants, bars – yes
Places to stay in O Pedrouzo
| Albergue O Trisquel | Pension Maruja | Pension 23 | Pension Diana | Pension 9 de Abril |
Day 13. O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela, 20 km/12,4 mi
O Pedrouzo - San Paio - Lavacolla - Monte do Gozo - Santiago de Compostela.
On the last day on the Camino Primitivo, we'd suggest starting early if you want to make it to the Pilgrim Mass at 12 pm (there is a Pilgrim Mass at 7.30pm as well). Remember you're not allowed to enter the cathedral with a backpack you can either leave it in your albergue or at the Pilgrim's Reception Office, 100m from the cathedral.
The easiest option is to stay in one of the albergues on the way to the cathedral you can just drop your backpack there and continue walking as we did.
Highlights
- Stunning forest right after O Pedrouzo.
Challenges
- The last 10km of the walk are not well marked, no distances, and you basically follow the crowd.
The Camino Primitivo offers beautiful forest and mountain scenery. If you'd like to add some sea views to complete the picture we can recommend a 3-4-day walk from Santiago de Compostela to Finisterre - "the end of the world". If you don't feel like walking anymore but still would like to visit Finisterre and Muxia capes you can do a day bus tour from Santiago.
Santiago de Compostela the end of the Camino Primitivo
There are many great things to do in Santiago de Compostela to keep you busy for a couple of days from going out for wine and tapas to visiting museums and doing day trips to the coast.
There are many great places to stay in Santiago de Compostela from albergues to luxury hotels and spas.
Places to stay in Santiago de Compostela
- Budget | Dream in Santiago | Albergue Turistico la Credencial | Santiago KM-0 |
- Middle price | Hotel Windsor | Hotel Fonte de San Roque | Hotel Hórreo by Bossh! |
- Luxury | Hotel Praza Quintana | Prador de Santiago Hostal Reis Catolicos |
Tours and activities in Santiago de Compostela
If you have a couple of days in Santiago you can spend some time exploring the city and its surroundings.
- Excursion to Finisterre + Muxia + Costa da Morte (7 stops)
- Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and Museum Guided Tour
- Excursion to Rias Baixas with Winery - Optional mussel boat
Camino Primitivo route planning resources
- Get helpful Camino tips | Tips for planning the Camino de Santiago |
- Extend your Camino journey to Finisterre | Camino Finisterre-Muxía walking guide |
- The history of the Original Way
- The history of Santiago de Compostela
- Spiritual preparations for the pilgrimage
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The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.
Hello,
I enjoyed your primitivo journey. I am 70 and would like to walk fewer K per day, especially on that 38 K day. Are there places to stay between the targeted places?
Hello, Maria! Thank you for the comment! We don't have a 38km day in out itinerary, the longest day here is 33km (Day 13) but you can easily split it into two, walk from Melide to Arzua (14km) and the next day from Arzua to O Pedrouzo (19km). There are more places to stay on the route. There is a downloadable PDF file at the beginning of the post where you can find towns on the way with distances between them I hope it'll help with the planning.
Buen Camino!
Hello! I am starting this Camino in August and am so thankful for your itinerary, tips, and stories! Similarly to others, I was wondering if you could share the PDF version of this so I can save it to my phone and bring it on my travels. Love your blog! Thanks much, Ellie
Hello, Ellie! Thank you for the comment! Unfortunately, we don't have a PDF file of this post all we have is a short PDF itinerary that will be available to download from the post in the next couple of days.
Buen Camino!
Hello,
I read your guide about Camino Primitivo.
I must admit it is really good. I am planning to do it in September this year. I remember you both from Camino Portugues da Costa from Albergue in A Guarda. Could you send me an email with your guide? Thank you very much. Good luck with your travel. Maciej
Hello, Maciej! Thank you for the comment! It's great to hear from people that we met on the Camino! We don't have a PDF of the post but we do have a short itinerary that we can send you.
Buen Camino!
Hello,
I could be really awesome to get your short itinerary via email.
It will be really helpful to plan my Camino.
All the best.
Buen Camino.
Maciej
Dear, Maciej! The itinerary is available on the site again. At the beginning of the post (after the second paragraph, just before the map) there is a line Download PDF file Camino Primitivo stages, if you click on Camino Primitivo stages it'll open a PDF file that you can save on your computer or phone.
Regards
Hi, my son and I will be walking the Camino in Sept/Oct this year. Is there any way you can skip the crowds and follow an alternative route to Santiago for the last 2 days? We only have 5-6 days to walk. Would it make sense to walk day 9-13 on your itinirary and bus the last day to avoid walking with the crowds?
Hello, Riana! First, there won't be as many people in October as in June (when we walked it), second, in my opinion, the scenery of the first part of the Camino Primitivo was more impressive than of the last part. You can take a bus just remember if you want to get the Compostela you have to walk at least the last 100 km to Santiago.
Buen Camino!
I too have tried to get the PDF file with no success. Amazing work. This is all I need to walk this trail. Thankyou.
Hello, Mike! Thank you for the comment! If it didn't work for you we'll send a PDF file to your e-mail
Buen Camino!
Thank you so much for this very helpful information. I have tried and tried but have not been able to find the right place to get the PDF to download. I have registered my e-mail address as requested. Can you help?
Thanks!
Hello, Mary! Thank you very much for the comment! Don't worry we'll send the PDF file to your e-mail address.
Buen Camino!
Thank you!! I look forward to receiving it.
Hello! I may have just missed this detail, but I’m wondering what month you hiked the Camino Primitivo? Thank you for such an amazingly detailed guide!
Hello, Charlotte! Thank you for the question! We walked the Primitivo in the beginning of June.
Buen Camino!
Thank you for the excellent information! Do you have contacts for the luggage delivery service? Can you book this in advance?
Hello, Kate! Thank you for the comment! We didn't use any luggage service but saw several people using it, there are a couple of companies that do it e.g. El Camino Correos or Pilbeo you can Google them and find their contact details as well as prices.
Buen Camino!
Dear Nomads,
Is there a way to shorten the Camino primitivo treck up to 12 days or so? By cycling or horse riding?
If yes - what segments would you suggest to cycle/ ride?
Thank you 🙂
Hello, Dana!
You can walk the whole route in 12 days, out itinerary is for 14 days only because we got a couple of days with terrible weather. As for cycling we saw quite a lot of people doing it but you need a bicycle I'm not sure you can rent it along the route and drop in Santiago. Most of the route goes through the mountains it's not normal cycling it's mountain-biking, I don't know how familiar you're with it. We haven't seen anybody on horses or places to rent horses for a couple of days. If you don't have enough time and don't want to walk long days as an option you can walk to Melide, about 50km before Santiago and take a bus from there. To be honest this part of the route was our least favorite because the Original Way joins there with the busy French Route. This is the best part for cycling as well as it's quite flat area. Unfortunately I couldn't find online a place to rent a bicycle in Melide. Another option is to use luggage delivery service this way you don't have to walk with a big backpack which makes it easier so you can walk longer daily distances. I hope it helps for your planning.
Buen Camino!
This is great information. I have been researching Camino routes to decide which would be the best fit for me, and your insights are especially helpful. My plan is to walk early this summer, and your experiences have me leaning further toward the Primitivo. Hopefully, I will have time in the future for the Norte as well. Do you have any plans to do any hiking in Ireland? If so, I would love to read about your experiences. Thank you!
Hello, Bill! Thank you very much for the comment! We're glad you found the information on our bog useful! The Primitivo is a beautiful route, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! As for our hiking plans we're actually thinking about Ireland, the scenery there looks stunning! Not sure we'll make it there this year we're going to Nepal first and then back to Spain to walk three more Camino routes, hopefully we'll make it there next year.
Buen Camino!
Hello wonderful people!
I really want to walk the Primitivo and I have the perfect opportunity starting from March 31/April 01 2019.
Do you think that I can walk the trail during this season?
Thanks for your help!
Hello, Laura! I'm sure it's possible but weather might be a problem, we walked it in June and even then it was very wet and quite chilly, in believe in winter they have snow not sure if it will melt by April up in the mountains. If you don't mind experiencing weather challenges and pack proper clothing I think you'll be fine.
Buen Camino!
Hi Alya and Campbell !
I'm on the primitivo way now (in Tineo), so i can read all your tips about it ! So coool!
I hope everything is ok on the Camino del Norte and you are having fun!
See you maybe in Santiago!
Leslie
Hi, Leslie! We were wandering about you! The Camino del Norte goes good, we're planning to be in Santiago in 10 days. Enjoy the Primitivo, the scenery there is amazing! Maybe see you in Santiago!
Buen Camino!
How much road walking did you do on this Camino.
Hello, Scott! The Camino Primitivo has very little road walking, most of the road and asphalt you get on the last part from Malide when the route merges with the Camino Frances.
Cheers!
Thanks for your quick reply. Given a choice of the Norte or the Primitivo it would appear that the Primitivo has less road walking. Having walked both would you agree?
Yes, the Primitivo definitely has less road and fewer cities along the way and it's much shorter than del Norte.
Where can I find the printable version. I have looked using your directions but cannot find. We are walking this at the end of May/June and also just want to take some printed refernces rather than a book. THanks for your help! A really great blog to read. Very helpful!
Hello, Lana! Sorry for the late reply we're busy walking the Camino del Norte and don't have Internet every day. Concerning the PDF file, you can find it in the post; go to heading Camino Primitivo stages after the first paragraph there is a sentence in bold, click on words "Camino Primitivo stages" (underlined) and it'll open a PDF file that you can download.
Buen Camino!
Hi, great blog and information sharing.
I take it you make your own meals walking the Waynif St. James? Comparing this to an alpine trek like the Tour du Mont Blanc, where the Refuggio you stay in provide dinner and breakfast.
Hello, Kevin! Thank you for the comment! Municipal albergues offer only accommodation, most private albergues have restaurants where you can order breakfast, lunch or dinner, food is not included in accommodation price. Most albergues have a kitchen, you can buy food at the supermarket and make your own meal. Many restaurants on the way offer special pilgrim's lunch (Menu del Dia), most people eat lunch on the way and make something for dinner in albergue. Usually there are several restaurants in the towns where you stop for the night if you don't want to cook at all you can eat out.
Cheers!
Hi Guys, we are going to start to walk the primitivo in late September with my husband. Your post is extremely helpful, with plenty of relevant info. I would like to ask your experience, how was it as a couple? Also I wanted to print your itinerary but I can not, copy paste. If I give you my email address would you be so kind to send it to me in printable format? (borbala.kezsmarki at gmail.com)
Hello, Borbala! Thank you for your comment! Our experience on the Camino Primitivo was great; we met nice people, enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the walk wasn't too tough and daily distances were not too long, we finished every day early before lunchtime. We do a lot of hiking and used to walk together. Just remember that albergues have only dormitories no private rooms, except the one in Oviedo. If you want to stay in private you'll have to book hotels on the way. As for printable format there is a downloadable PDF file Camino Primitivo Stages that you can print. It's in Camino Primitivo section, above the Google map (in bold).
Buen Camino!
Hello,
I am planning to do this route in the next few weeks. I will be travelling alone and only speak English. Will this be difficult?
Many thanks,
Hello, Nessie! There are many people on the Camino who don't speak Spanish, I'm sure you'll be fine. Everything works quite easy on the route, it's well-marked, in albergues you just show your Credential, pay 5 or 6 Euro and get a bed. Most places have instructions and notes in English and there is always someone around who can speak both languages. Enjoy the walk and Buen Camino!
Wondering if you found the printable version. I cannot seem to find it. Walking in May. I am interested in having this for reference.
Hi Stingy Nomads 🙂 Thanks for this post and detailed information. It's been really helpful.
I will be doing my first Camino alone late September and I plan to guide myself with the Camino App and pdfs with detailed guide just in case. Since I'm walking alone I'm sort of scared of getting lost. Any advice? Useful tips are also welcomed.
Thanks again and have a great day.
Hello, Manuela! Thank you for the comment!
We didn't use any apps or guides for this Camino only a print with stages, albergues and distances. The trail is marked quite well with yellow arrows all the way. We missed arrows a couple of times in towns when turned to a shop or cafe but locals always pointed us back to the trail. The area felt safe, local people are friendly and helpful - I'm sure you'll be fine walking alone. We had quite a few people, including a couple of girls, walking alone (most ended up walking together) nobody had any problem or got lost. I'm planning to walk Camino del Norte in a couple of weeks alone as well. Enjoy the walk!
Buen Camino!
Hi! Thanks so much for this help. How was phone reception/wifi in the towns along the route? I work remotely and will need to be online in the evenings. Am looking into bringing a portable hotspot, wondering if there's decent enough signal in the towns along the route?
Hi, Lynn! Thank you! We had cell phone reception at every town/village we stayed we were able to publish updates on our social media every night along the way. Most private albergues and some municipal have wi-fi and there is always at least one cafe or restaurant with wi-fi in a town.
Buen Camino!
Thank you for so much detail! My mom and I are planning to hike next spring/summer and we are really looking forward to a more rustic El Camino!
Hello, Shannon! Thank you for your comment! I'm sure you and your mom will enjoy the Camino!
Good luck!
GUYS,
THIS IS BRILLIANT.
TY FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DOCUMENT YOUR TRAVELS AND TOO SHARE.
Hello, Paul!
Thank you very much! We're glad you liked our post!
Enjoy the Camino!
So informative. Thank you , enjoyed reading your blog and saved it for my next Camino walk.
Hello, Lucia! Thank you very much for the comment! If you like hiking you'll enjoy the Camino Primitivo, it's a fantastic experience!
Good luck!